Bosnia-Herzegovina were quite impressive against Argentina, and unlucky not to open their debut World Cup with at least a point. The Eastern European country will look for their first ever World Cup points at the second time of asking when they take on Nigeria in a crunch Group F clash on Saturday.
Where to Watch Live:
The Group F encounter is scheduled for a 7 pm local time (3.30 am IST, 11 pm BST, 6 pm ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online HERE in India. Catch the match in the UK on ITV and BBC with the live streaming option HERE or HERE. US viewers can watch the big game on ESPN and ABC while you can also live stream the action HERE. Australia viewers click HERE to watch the game online, while Africa viewers can live stream it HERE. South Africa viewers can catch the match HERE.
Neither team walked out happy after their respective opening matches at this FIFA World Cup 2014, with Bosnia-Herzegovina going down 2-1 thanks to a smashing Lionel Messi goal, while Nigeria failed to break down a disciplined Iran defence in a 0-0 draw.
With Argentina expected to run away with the group, the remaining three teams will be fighting it out for the second qualifying spot, and it does look like it will be down to one of Nigeria or Bosnia-Herzegovina, making this particular game in Cuiaba extremely important.
Win and you have one foot into that last 16; lose and you have a little more than a foot into the flight back home.
"Probably we are in the most uncomfortable position of all teams because if we lose we can pack our bags and head home," Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic said. "The others have a theoretical chance to progress. So everyone is aware of the importance of the match.
"No one expects a miracle from us. Many fans of our country would like us to just play the best football we can and leave a good impression."
While Bosnia-Herzegovina harbour plenty of hopes despite it being their debut campaign, there is a lot of pressure on Nigeria as well, with the African side flattering to deceive against Iran in this World Cup's first drawn match.
Tipped by many to progress into the knockout stages with Argentina, Nigeria will want to live up to those expectations with a victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"You can't hide from pressure. Football is a game of pressure," Nigeria forward Emmanuel Emenike told FIFA's official website. "Everyone expects big things from you. When things don't go well, everyone speaks, everyone talks the way they like.
"But what can you do? You just have to carry on working hard, that's all you can do. The pressure has to be there. The match didn't go the way we wanted, we just have to carry on and win the Bosnia and Herzegovina game and see what happens. The game against Iran was disappointing.
"The unity is still there. I think the first few seconds after the Iran game, the spirit in the changing room was a little bit low, but now, seeing it yesterday and today, even in training, everyone is fighting."
Team news: Nigeria: Defender Godfrey Oboabona is not expected to feature after picking up an injury, with Joseph Yobo taking his place.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Midfielder Sejad Halilovic is still recovering from a long-term injury, and Susic said he will not be risked unless absolutely necessary. "We count on him for the third and possibly the fourth match," Susic said.
Vedad Ibisevic is challenging for a starting spot after scoring his country's first ever goal in the World Cup finals. "I still have some tactical dilemmas and therefore can't say tonight whether Ibisevic will start," Susic added.
Expected lineups: Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Oshaniwa, Yobo, Omeruo; Onazi, Azeez, Mikel; Moses, Emenike, Musa.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Begovic; Mujdza, Bicakcic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Besic, Hajrovic; Pjanic, Misimovic, Lulic; Dzeko.
Prediction: 2-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina
